Net Flicks: A Query
Net flicks, a popular search engine query, can return a wide variety of results depending on the search engine used for the query. From sites with Counter-Strike movies, to a software company, to dozens of personal sites, there are more sites returned from this query than someone could reasonably sort through. However, the most commonly returned sites are those that realize the searcher was probably looking for Netflix, the online DVD movie rental company, and was simply ignorant of the correct spelling.
It is entirely possible, however, that a query of the phrase “net flicks” was not meant to be a search for Netflix, but merely a search for any online movie rental company. This could include GameznFlix, Blockbuster Online, or even movielink.com, where you can download unlimited DVD-quality movies. These are all viable candidates for “net flicks” and worth some time spent looking into them, but the most likely scenario is the aforementioned misspelling.
Netflix: Making Money on Net Flicks
It’s name arising from a combination of the two word phrase best describing the company, “net flicks,” Netflix is exactly that—flicks that customers rent on the net. With a vast assortment of movies to choose from, no late fees to pay or due dates to worry about, and prompt delivery of even the hottest titles, Netflix is poised to dominate the DVD rental industry. Recently, Netflix has been turning the heat up on it’s biggest rival, Blockbuster, dealing them a significant blow by reducing its membership fee by four dollars. According to Forbes magazine, Blockbuster reported a third-quarter loss and warned that profit in the forth quarter and for the full-year would decline significantly.
Being an internet-based company, Netflix has relatively little overhead and thus required much less venture capital to get started. This meant that it was much easier for Netflix, led by Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings, to begin turning a profit or “get in the black,” as they say in the industry. This also made it easier for Netflix to quickly amass a movie library to rival, even surpass, Blockbuster. Furthermore, and again because of the nature of internet-based business, Netflix has much lower operating costs than Blockbuster and is consequently able to offer memberships at prices that Blockbuster has to take a loss to match.
So if, in the not-too-distant future, online movie rental business dominate the industry, don’t be surprised. Netflix is a publicly-traded company and if you are looking for stock to buy, it might be wise to consider investing. If things continue in this direction, Netflix could be headed for great things.